Winner of a much esteemed star from doyen of First World War writers Cyril Falls, the author writes of the battle of Loos in 1915, particularly graphically. MacGill was actually engaged and wounded during the battle whilst serving with the London Irish Rifles."MacGill, who had won considerable fame as a writer of "navvy " romances before the War, wrote one of the most vivid English accounts of a battle that was published while it was still in progress. He used to be known as a "powe...

"Children of the Dead End" is an autobiographical account of Patrick MacGill's experiences as a navvy (a manual laborer involved in railway and road construction) in early 20th-century Britain. The book offers a stark and honest portrayal of the harsh realities faced by laborers during this period.The narrative follows MacGill's life and work as he travels across Britain, taking on various jobs in the construction industry. It describes the grueling physical labor, the poor working conditi...

“The Red Horizon” by Patrick MacGill is a powerful novel set against the backdrop of war and military conflict, focusing on the experiences of soldiers on the frontline during combat. The story provides a vivid portrayal of trench warfare, capturing the intense tension and the harsh realities of life in the trenches. The narrative delves into the camaraderie and heroism of the soldiers as they navigate the brutal conditions of war, exploring themes of duty and survival. MacGill’s depiction...

"The Diggers: The Australians in France" by Patrick MacGill is a poignant exploration of the experiences of Australian soldiers during World War I. Through vivid storytelling and rich descriptions, MacGill captures the camaraderie, bravery, and hardships faced by these men as they fought on foreign soil. The narrative delves into the psychological and physical toll of war, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit amidst the chaos of battle. MacGill's firsthand accounts and observati...

In the city of Glasgow there is a lodging house for women known as 'The Rat Pit'. Here the vagrant can get a nightly bunk for a few pence...'The Rat Pit' is a transcript from life and most of the characters are real people and the scenes only too poignantly true. This is a fascinating novel of the period and still an interesting read. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing thes...

By 1915 the trenches of the Western Front were in different states of repair, including the captured trenches, which had all but been destroyed as a result of shell fire. The countryside and villages were a scene of utter devastation, nothing but mud and mounds of rubble where communities and fields of wheat had once stood.The main battles during 1915 were Ypres, French Flanders, Artois, Aisne, Champagne and Vosges. During September and October 1915 an attack by French and British ...

Patrick MacGill (24 December 1889 – November 1963) was an Irish journalist, poet and novelist, known as "The Navvy Poet" because he had worked as a navvy before he began writing. This work is a collection of essays describing an Irish enlisted man's experience of the training leading up to his departure to fight in the first world war. (Excerpt from Goodreads) This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.

"The Great Push: An Episode of the Great War" by Patrick MacGill is a poignant narrative that captures the harrowing experiences of soldiers during World War I. MacGill, drawing from his own experiences as a soldier, vividly portrays the brutal realities of trench warfare and the emotional toll it takes on the men involved. The book is not just a war story; it is a deep exploration of camaraderie, fear, and the struggle for survival amidst the chaos of battle, making it a significant contr...

"The Red Horizon" by Patrick MacGill is a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human experience during tumultuous times. The story unfolds against a backdrop of war, exploring themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the quest for identity. MacGill's vivid prose paints a stark picture of the struggles faced by individuals caught in the chaos, highlighting their emotional journeys and the impact of conflict on their lives. The characters are richly developed, each represent...

It was night in the dead of winter, and we sat around the fire that burned in red and blue flames on the wide open hearth. The blue flames were a sign of storm. The snow was white on the ground that stretched away from the door of my father's house, down the dip of the brae and over the hill that rose on the other side of the glen. I had just been standing out by the little hillock that rose near the corner of the home gable-end, watching the glen people place their lamps in the window cor...

In "The Amateur Army," Patrick MacGill crafts a poignant narrative that illuminates the harrowing experiences of World War I soldiers through a blend of realism and vivid imagery. Written in a style that reflects the raw intensity of trench warfare, MacGill's prose is both accessible and deeply affecting, capturing the camaraderie, fear, and disillusionment faced by the ranks of inexperienced men who found themselves thrust into the chaos of battle. The book is situated within a broader li...